Short Course on Flooring – What You Need To Know

February 9, 2018Comments Off on Short Course on Flooring – What You Need To Know Posted in: Real Estate

Important Considerations When Buying Tiles for Flooring

When looking for flooring tiles, builders and homeowners are confronted with a myriad of alternatives to choose from. However, there are many factors that could affect one’s choice of flooring tiles. The attractiveness and durability of the tiles might be the most common considerations. Most people commonly use tiles in either in the kitchen or bathroom, but tiles can be great in most parts of the house as well. Therefore, before making that crucial choice on the type of tiles to purchase, here are a myriad of factors to keep in mind.

Kind of Material

The kind of material used in making the tiles is an important consideration even for a layman. There are different tile materials in use such as ceramic, wood, brick, laminate, granite, slate, marble, mosaic, porcelain and vinyl. All these tile materials come in different colors and designs. It is therefore your responsibility to ascertain what sort of material is most appropriate for you.

Water-Resistance

If water enters into the tiles, it can affect them adversely. However, some types of materials are more water-resistant than others. Water also makes some tiles very slippery hence can be a hazard in the house. Ceramic, marble, mosaic and granite have been found to function well in kitchens and bathrooms.

Durability

No one would like to purchase tiles that wear and tear quickly. It is therefore crucial to consider materials that are stronger. For example, vinyl, ceramic and brick tiles are more resistant to wear and tear while granite and marble are prone to forces of wear and tear and get stained quickly.

Purpose

Whether the tiles are to be used indoors or outdoors is an important factor that cannot be overlooked. Outdoor flooring is exposed to many elements such as adverse weather. Clay and brick tiles can function better in outdoor flooring since they are more resistant to adverse conditions.

Attractiveness

Perhaps attractiveness is the most important consideration for most people when choosing the type of flooring tiles. Everyone wants to get something which is eye-catching. Hardwood, marble and granite are the most sought after type of tiles for their attractiveness. However, in as much as the attractiveness of the tiles is an important factor when it comes in choosing flooring tiles, it is important to consider it in conjunction with other factors.

Resistance to Chemicals

Some places such as commercial installations are more prone to abrasions and chemicals that may where out the tiles very fast. In such cases therefore, one need to choose the kind of tiles that are made to withstand such forces and chemicals such as hardy tiles.

Exposure to Sunlight

Direct sunlight can wear out tiles very quickly. The amount of direct sunlight that the tiles are exposed to, will affect them adversely. For instance, synthetic materials such as vinyl and concrete are more resistant to sunlight than others. Also, tiles have been outfitted with ultraviolet coatings that are more sunlight resistant.